Presidents Cup History: U.S. Presidents and World Leaders Who Have Attended the Event
The Presidents Cup has combined international team golf with a long tradition of involvement from U.S. presidents and world leaders.
Since the event began in 1994, several American presidents and international leaders have served as honorary chairmen, while a number of them have also attended the competition in person.
The 2026 Presidents Cup is being held at Medinah Country Club in Chicago from September 22-27, with U.S. President Donald Trump serving as honorary chairman.
Presidents Cup and Its Tradition of Presidential Involvement
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team competition between the United States and an International Team representing countries outside Europe.
The event was first played in 1994 and has featured prominent political leaders in honorary chairman roles throughout its history. The official Presidents Cup record lists several U.S. presidents and foreign heads of government among those who have held the position.
U.S. Presidents Who Have Attended the Presidents Cup
Several U.S. presidents have attended Presidents Cup events, either while serving in office or after leaving the White House.
Gerald Ford – 1994
Former President Gerald Ford attended the inaugural Presidents Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
Ford served as the event's first honorary chairman, helping establish the tradition of presidential involvement at the tournament.
Bill Clinton – 2000, 2005 and 2017
Bill Clinton attended the 2000 Presidents Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club while he was president.
He later returned to the event as a former president for the 2005 and 2017 competitions.
George H.W. Bush – 1996
George H.W. Bush served as honorary chairman for the 1996 Presidents Cup.
The tournament was played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, continuing the event's early connection with U.S. presidents.
George W. Bush – 2005
George W. Bush served as honorary chairman for the 2005 Presidents Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
The event marked another appearance by a sitting U.S. president in the tournament's history.
Barack Obama – 2009 and 2013
Barack Obama served as honorary chairman for the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park in San Francisco and again for the 2013 event at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio.
Obama also attended the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.
Donald Trump – 2017 and 2026
Donald Trump served as honorary chairman of the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club.
He was also present during the final day of the 2017 competition and participated in the trophy ceremony.
In 2026, Trump accepted the role of Honorary Chairman for the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club. The official Presidents Cup announcement confirmed that 2026 marks the second time he has held the position.
Joe Biden and the Presidents Cup
Former President Joe Biden served as honorary chairman for the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The official Presidents Cup list of honorary chairmen includes Biden among the U.S. presidents who have held the position.
International Leaders Who Have Been Honorary Chairmen
The Presidents Cup has also featured political leaders from countries that have hosted the competition.
Thabo Mbeki – South Africa, 2003
South African President Thabo Mbeki served as honorary chairman for the 2003 Presidents Cup at Fancourt.
That competition ended in a historic 17-17 tie, the only tied Presidents Cup through the 2024 edition.
John Howard – Australia, 1998
Australian Prime Minister John Howard served as honorary chairman for the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Stephen Harper – Canada, 2007
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper served as honorary chairman for the 2007 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
Julia Gillard – Australia, 2011
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard served as honorary chairman for the 2011 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Park Geun-hye – South Korea, 2015
South Korean President Park Geun-hye served as honorary chairman for the 2015 Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea.
The 2015 competition marked the Presidents Cup's first visit to Asia.
Scott Morrison – Australia, 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison served as honorary chairman for the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.
Justin Trudeau – Canada, 2024
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau served as honorary chairman for the 2024 Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club.
The United States won the 2024 competition 18.5-11.5, improving its overall Presidents Cup record to 13-1-1.
Presidents Cup Honorary Chairmen by Year
The official Presidents Cup record lists the following political leaders as honorary chairmen:
1994: Gerald Ford, United States
1996: George H.W. Bush, United States
1998: John Howard, Australia
2000: Bill Clinton, United States
2003: Thabo Mbeki, South Africa
2005: George W. Bush, United States
2007: Stephen Harper, Canada
2009: Barack Obama, United States
2011: Julia Gillard, Australia
2013: Barack Obama, United States
2015: Park Geun-hye, South Korea
2017: Donald Trump, United States
2019: Scott Morrison, Australia
2022: Joe Biden, United States
2024: Justin Trudeau, Canada
2026: Donald Trump, United States
Why World Leaders Are Connected to the Presidents Cup
The involvement of presidents and prime ministers is part of the Presidents Cup's history and structure.
Unlike many professional golf tournaments, the Presidents Cup is organized around an international team competition rather than individual prize money. The event brings together 12 players from the United States and 12 players representing the International Team.
Political leaders have therefore played a ceremonial role in several editions, particularly through the honorary chairman position.
2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club
The 2026 Presidents Cup is being played at Medinah Country Club in Chicago from September 22-27.
The competition features Brandt Snedeker's U.S. Team against Geoff Ogilvy's International Team. The tournament's official schedule lists competition from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27.
Donald Trump is serving as honorary chairman for the 2026 event. His appointment continues the tournament's long-standing tradition of involving current and former national leaders.
Presidents Cup History and Presidential Attendance
From Gerald Ford at the inaugural event to Donald Trump serving as honorary chairman in 2026, U.S. presidents have maintained a visible connection with the Presidents Cup.
International leaders have also taken part when the competition has traveled abroad, giving the tournament a distinctive international dimension alongside its golf competition.
The tradition remains part of the Presidents Cup as the event continues its 2026 edition at Medinah Country Club.
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